The seven executed were Francis Grayson, James L. Hairston, John Claybon Taylor, Frank Hairston, Jr., Booker T. Millner, Howard Lee Hairston and Joe Henry Hampton. Ruby Stroud Floyd always brought light to every room entered. The shortest was little more than half an hour. She had previously distributed Jehovah's Witnesses materials in the neighborhood. Judge Kennon C. Whittle of the Martinsville Circuit Court granted requests to hold individual trials. Your email address will not be published. "These men were executed because they were Black, and that's not right," Northam said. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Each were tried and sentenced to death within an eight-day period by all-white juries. What happened to the white American Ruby Stroud Floyd more than 70 years ago in a black neighborhood in the small town of Martinsville, Virginia, will probably remain unexplained forever. Each man was charged with rape and aiding and abetting rape both crimes punishable by death at the time. After a long legal battle led by the NAACP and a grassroots campaign led by the Civil Rights Congress, the seven were executed in 1951 on February 2nd and February 5th. [12] The NAACP's interest was in establishing legal precedent "for the benefit of due process and equal protection in general and the Negroes' rights in particular. Black men executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman granted posthumous pardons | CBC News Loaded. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. At 7:30p.m., after dark, she went to Mary Wade's house for shelter, showing signs of an assault. The Martinsville Seven were a group of seven African American men from Martinsville, Virginia, who were convicted and executed for raping a white woman in 1949. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. As the final execution dates of Feb. 2 and Feb. 5, 1951, approached the governor's office was flooded with thousands of telegrams, including one from Moscow, asking that the men not be executed. The Wades called an ambulance for her. One of the convicted men's parents contacted the CRC directly and asked one of its lawyers to defend their son DeSales Grayson. The CRC in turn criticized the NAACP for its reliance on a legal strategy that had a dubious chance of success in a southern state where rigid Jim Crow was enforced. Much of that attention was focused on Richmond, home of the governor, the legislature and the state's top civil-rights lawyers, as well as the location of what was then the Virginia State Penitentiary and its electric chair. But on July 24, 1950, Battle turned them down, writing: "No fair minded person can read the evidence in these cases without being convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt, of the guilt of all the defendants.". Their petition does not argue that the men were innocent, but says their trials were unfair and the punishment was extreme and unjust. In December, advocates and descendants of the men asked Northam to issue posthumous pardons. The seven were charged with the rape of Ruby Stroud Floyd in a black neighborhood of Martinsville, Virginia on January 8, 1949. Ruby Stroud Floyd obituary is not public at the time, we will share more as we learn about the obituary and possibly the funeral. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. The first four were executed at 15-minute intervals on February 2. When the NAACP appealed their convictions, its defense team noted that when the police had questioned the men, they had been drinking for some time, and they were not allowed to consult lawyers or their families. John S. Battle to grant clemency to no avail. You are using an out of date browser. Doris Gravely, 80, of Martinsville, a first cousin of Joe Henry Hampton, the first of the seven executed, talked about the case in her living room last month. New York, Today: On January 8, 1949, from the dingy negro slums of Martinville, Virginia, staggered attractive, dark-haired Mrs. Ruby Stroud Floyd (32), shouting that she . The trial transcripts show that on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 8, 1949, Ruby Stroud Floyd, the 32-year-old wife of a department-store manager, entered a black area of the city to collect. The Martinsville Seven were a group of young black men executed in 1951 after being convicted of raping a white woman. Share. All they are celebrating is the dismantling of White laws, laws which have held the civilised West together like glue, that once gone will herald the arrival of a new singular law, the law of the jungle the only law niggers know, and which can be perfectly summed up by Crowleys satanic epithet do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Defense lawyers argued that Floyd had consented to sexual intercourse by failing to forcibly resist the men and that the initial confessions were forced by the local sheriff. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Despite the efforts put forth by the NAACP, four of the Martinsville Seven were electrocuted on February 2, 1951. James Walter Grayson is the son of Francis DeSales Grayson, who was one of the seven. He kissed us and they took him away," he told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. ), As far as Hodge-Muse and many others are concerned, the case "was just such an evil miscarriage of justice.". Here's everything to know about the Martinsville Seven case: The Civil Rights Congress pickets the White House February 1, 1951 demanding President Harry Truman stop the execution of the Martinsville 7 seven African American men sentenced to death for the rape of a white woman in Virginia. Prospective jurors in each trial included some blacks, but all 72 jurors selected to try the cases were white. In 1977 the Supreme Court referred to those arguments with respect to rulings in other cases. Four of the men were executed in Virginia's electric chair on Feb. 2, 1951. But Hodge-Muse, Millner and others also believe that not all the facts came out during the trials and that there are many unanswered questions. This was objected to by the NAACP, who feared further backlash because of the CRC's Communist affiliations. Four of the men testified in their own defence. It was the largest group of people executed for a single-victim crime in Virginia's history. Ruby Stroud Floyd Obituary: In the loving memory of Ruby Stroud Floyd, we are saddened to inform you that Ruby Stroud Floyd, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. This is a carousel with slides. Other prosecution witnesses included Grayson's wife, Josephine, who also testified for the defense in some of the cases; a sister of one of the defendants; and a black woman who assisted Floyd after the attack. But, none was selected for any of the seven juries, as the prosecutors rejected all of them on various grounds. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. "Thank you, Jesus. She was emotionally upset, said the doctor, her underclothing was missing and her coat, dress and slip were "extremely dirty.". [2] The NAACP did not want the CRC to participate in the litigation directly. From left to right: John Clabon Taylor, Joe Henry Hampton, Francis DeSales Grayson, Booker T. Millner, James Luther Hairston, Howard Lee Hairston, and Frank Hairston. Courtesy of the D.C. Public Library Washington Star Collection Washington Post. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring. Another person who wants to learn more is Denise Grayson, 46, of Raleigh, N.C., a granddaughter of Francis Grayson. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. On the evening of January 8, 1949, Ruby Stroud Floyd accused 13 black men of raping her while she passed through a poor African American neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia . Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. At the time of their arrest, all but one was between the ages of 20 and 23. Execution of black teen in 1944 shouldn't have occurred, U.S. judge rules, Man freed from prison, over racial bias in jury selection, will not face 7th murder trial, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Residents warned her not to stay too long, noting the time as late afternoon. The mass executions were the largest in Virginia in modern times. Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons Tuesday to seven Black men who were executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman, in a case that attracted pleas for mercy from around the world and in recent years has been denounced as an example of racial disparity in the use of the death penalty. In December, advocates and descendants of the men asked Northam to issue posthumous pardons. Some questioned the accuracy of parts of the confessions, and at least one said he did not have intercourse with Floyd and that he did not see Floyd resist anyone. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The "Martinsville Seven" were convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, who had gone to a predominantly Black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on Jan. 8, 1949, to collect money . Each were. Sorry! Whittle.[7]. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. They applied the bulk of the funds raised to the defense of clients. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, 41, and Brandy Washington tied the knot last week, a year after the couple got engaged. Joe Hampton, 19, and three others took turns raping Ruby Floyd, a 32-year-old white woman. After being questioned by local police officers, the defendants initially confessed to committing or witnessing the crime. Three worked in a sawmill, one was a plasterer's helper, one a stonecutter and one a foundry man. Every single one of the 45 men executed by Virginias electric chair for rape at that point in time were African American men charged with assaulting white women. The seven men, most in their late teens or early 20s, were: Grayson, Frank Hairston Jr.; Howard Lee Hairston; James Luther Hairston; Joe Henry Hampton; Booker Millner; and John Clabon Taylor. MARTINSVILLE -- On April 19, 1949, Judge Kennon Whittle addressed prosecutors and defense lawyers gathered in his second-floor chambers of the Henry County courthouse. [2], The NAACP thought that involvement by the CRC in appeals could endanger the defendants both because of their inflammatory tactics and its communist affiliation. 20072023 Blackpast.org. [8] The day before the youngest of the seven was executed, he said, "God knows I didn't touch that woman and I'll see y'all on the other side. And the real victim Ruby Stroud Floyd didnt even get a mention from those coon descendants of her rapists ! Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. "[2] Their concern was ensuring a fair trial.[2]. "Thank you, Jesus. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. NAACP officials focused national attention to the case, hoping to delay or overturn the death penalty judgment. Hundreds stayed in Richmond for a prayer vigil until the executions took place. In Richmond, more than 200 people, most wearing black armbands, marched to Capitol Square from a memorial meeting at Third Street Bethel AME Church. "I was maybe 10 years old, and it was very, very, very hush-hush," he said. John S. Battle to grant clemencyall to no avail. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. There were no black jurors because the prosecution vetoed all potential black jurors. From 1908 when Virginia began using the electric chair to 1951, state records show that all 45 people executed for rape were Black, he said. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a White woman who had gone to a predominantly Black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on January 8, 1949, to collect money for clothes she had sold. The seven executed were all workers. It has been stated by several residents of Martinsville, Virginia that Grayson and Floyd were in a sexual relationship. Every single one of the 45 men executed by Virginias electric chair for the crime of rape at that point in time were African American men charged with assaulting white women. Martin A. Martin and other NAACP attorneys defended the men on appeals, attempting to ensure fair trials, set due process precedents, and gain clemency or sentence reductions. Within hours . "My daddy was Hampton's uncle," she said. Floyd identified two of her rapists as Grayson and Hampton, but she could not identify the others. He kissed us and they took him away," he told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. During the eleven-day trials, juries heard testimonies from both sides, including medical evidence of Floyds physical injuries and accounts from black witnesses whom Floyd appealed to for help after the assault. It's even worse than that. Here are some dire statistics detailing the horrible "culture" of African Americans: nationwide, blacks are committing crimes at 7 times the rate of whites. Your email address will not be published. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. The rapes occurred on Saturday, January 8, 1949, after Ruby Stroud Floyd, a 32-year-old white woman, entered a black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, to collect money for clothing she had sold. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson's name misspelled as "Jakie" on road sign, Serena Williams honored at NAACP Image Awards, City, family reach $2 million settlement in Florida fatal police shooting, How these 3 hashtags from Black Twitter changed America, announced new steps to streamline the pardon process. Grayson said he was fouryears old when his father was executed. The last was Grayson, 38, who was pronounced dead at 8:15 that morning. Please join us to mourn the passing of Ruby Stroud Floyd. . He sobbed loudly when Northam told the family members he would grant the pardons after meeting with them Tuesday. While Ruby Stroud Floyd was being treated in hospital after the alleged rape, police arrested six suspects, and two days later a seventh. Virginia would later execute three more men for rape, the last in 1961. Save to. In 1908, Virginia became the fifth state in the U.S. to use the electric chair, and executions were carried out by the Virginia Department of Corrections at the State Penitentiary in Richmond. 7 Black men executed in 1951 for rape granted posthumous pardons The Martinsville Seven were convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who visited a predominantly Black community in 1949 to collect money for outfits she sold. Martinsville remained quiet. The Martinsville 7, seven African American men sentenced to death for the rape of a white woman in Virginia are shown on a flyer published by the Civil Rights Congress in 1950. Other demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C., New York and elsewhere in an attempt to convince President Harry S. Truman to interveneagain to no avail. The prosecution pointed out that Floyd had gone to an area considered unsafe for white women, ignored warnings of black residents of staying too long there, and not been attentive to her surroundings or the men she passed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At the time, rape was a capital offense. Northam said some of the defendants were impaired at the time of their arrests or unable to read confessions they signed. Eric W. Rise, author of "The Martinsville Seven, Race, Rape and Capital Punishment" and a professor of criminal justice at the University of Delaware, said prospective black jurors were excused for expressing reservations about the death penalty or struck by prosecutors. On January 31, a mass demonstration of over 400 took place in Richmond to demand a halt to the planned executions despite the virulent racist opposition of many white supremacists. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). The original trial records, including hundreds of pages of transcripts, are on file at the Martinsville Circuit Court clerk's office. There is a problem with your email/password. He sobbed loudly when Northam told the family members he would grant the pardons after meeting with them Tuesday. Mrs. The appellate courts upheld the convictions and sentences, and the US Supreme Court twice refused to hear the cases. He said none of the men had attorneys present while they were interrogated. Ruby Stroud Floyd always brought light to every room entered. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in Martinsville . By Tamantha / 08.31.2021 Photo: AFP via Getty Images After a long legal battle led by the NAACP and a grassroots campaign led by the Civil Rights Congress, the seven were executed in 1951 on February 2nd and February 5th. The remaining three were executed on February 5, 1951. All six juries convicted the young men of rape and recommended the death penalty. You can directly shop your flowers on Amazon. In denying appeals to commute the Martinsville 7 death sentences, Virginias Governor John S. Battle said, that the wave of messages that flooded his desks was cosponsored by the Civil Rights Congress and the Communist Party. Why do libtards treat niggers better than they treat themselves? The mass executions were the largest in Virginia in modern times. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The sentences were carried out in February 1951, the largest group of executions for crimes against a single victim in state history and one of the largest in U.S. history. The longest deliberations lasted less than two hours, Rise said. The police first arrested Frank Hairston, Jr. and Booker T. Millner, and soon picked up James Luther Hairston, Howard Lee Hairston, John Clabon Taylor, Francis DeSales Grayson, then James Henry Hampton as additional suspects. "The older people all know about it, and it's so hurtful that they don't really want to talk about it. May you find comfort knowing that life continues forever in heaven even as the memories shared live forever in our hearts. THIS is the harrowing moment vengeful villagers burned to death the alleged ringleader of a violent gang they say had been terrorising them for months. "They won't discuss that at all," she said. The pardons do not address the guilt or innocence of the men, but Northam said the pardons are an acknowledgement that they did not receive due process and received a "racially-biased death sentence not similarly applied to white defendants.". Search above to list available cemeteries. "A white lady and a little colored boy came by and the lady asked where Ruth Pettie lived we all planned to get her when she came back.". The prosecution, led by Irvin W. Cubine, introduced evidence showing that non-consensual sex took place. Based on her account, in which she claimed to have been raped by 13 black men,[3] the police quickly arrested Frank Hairston Jr. and Booker Millner. In advance of a large planned CRC demonstration in the state capital, Governor Battle doubled the capital guard and alerted the state militia. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The Seven were executed at the Virginia State Penitentiary in early February 1951. Floyd identified Grayson and Hampton as her rapists but struggled to identify the others because the attack happened at night. Although it was dark, Floyd testified in all six trials identifying each of the seven. Failed to remove flower. "We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal, and gets it rightno matter who you are or what you look like. ", The lawyers used the figures in their clemency petition to Gov. From 1908 when Virginia began using the electric chair to 1951, state records show that all 45 people executed for rape were Black, he said. [2][13] The CRC began to organize mass actions in Richmond. At the time of their arrest, all but one were between the ages of 18 and 23. Cries and sobs could be heard from some of the descendants after Northam's announcement. After being questioned by local police officers, the defendants initially confessed to committing or witnessing the crime. Required fields are marked *. She said that she had been raped at least 13 times. "I don't want to bring that up again.". [1] On August 31, 2021, the Governor of Virginia pardoned the convictions of all seven men, 70 years after their deaths. Learn more about merges. COPYRIGHT (C) 2017 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - BLACK THEN In 1977, in its ruling in Coker v. Georgia, the US Supreme Court ruled that "it is repugnant to an enlightened society for the state to kill a person for a crime that does not result in death," declining to extend the death penalty to a person guilty of raping an adult woman. Thank you, Lord," he said, as he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the men. Listen to these niggers holding up seven rapists as though they were victims of some kind ! A better quality image can be found in the Fight for Racial Justice: the Civil Rights Congress (Gale) that can be accessed online through the D.C. Public Library databases, among other methods. [14], After exhausting the appeals process, with the US Supreme Court twice declining to hear the case, the NAACP and CRC began to appeal to executive offices. The seven men, ranging in age from 18-37 years old, were arrested in 1949 for the reported rape of 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who lived in Martinsville. At the time, rape was a capital offence. Racism was less explicit in the trial than in cases known as "legal lynchings" in the South, in which innocent men were convicted (e.g., the Scottsboro Boys, Willie McGee), and the Groveland Boys. It must be tried as though both parties were members of the same race. Two days later, on Sunday, 100 people picketed the White House in Washington, and Josephine Grayson, wife of Francis Grayson, unsuccessfully sought to see President Harry S. Truman. The victim of the rape recounted in The Martinsville Seven was Ruby Stroud Floyd, a thirty-two year old housewife who had moved to Martinsville with her husband, Glenn Floyd, a department store manager, only four years prior to the attack. The group of young men soon got the name The Martinsville Seven. Three days later, the remaining three were also electrocuted. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Learn more about managing a memorial . After a long legal battle led by the NAACP and a grassroots campaign led by the Civil Rights Congress, the seven were executed in 1951 on February 2nd and February 5th. There were six trials two defendants elected to be tried together held back to back, none of them lasting more than a day. Ruby Floyd, a granddaughter of Francis Grayson by Find a Grave member is fast, and! Executed in Virginia in modern times a sexual relationship error occurred while uploading your photo ( s.! Tried as though both parties were members of the men were executed at 15-minute intervals on 2... After being questioned by local police officers, the lawyers used the figures in their clemency petition to Gov their... Of Ruby Stroud Floyd he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the same race in modern.! Treat niggers better than they treat themselves clemencyall to no avail but all 72 jurors selected to try cases. Away, '' Northam said some of the convicted men 's parents contacted the CRC to participate in state... The descendants after Northam 's announcement. [ 2 ] later, the last was Grayson, 38 who! For shelter, showing signs of an assault were black, and Washington. Who was one of the CRC began to organize mass actions in Richmond pardons | CBC Loaded... Always brought light to every room entered the edit button below, '' she said that she had previously Jehovah! Forth by the NAACP, who feared further backlash because of the seven four of the men asked to! Issue posthumous pardons remaining three were also electrocuted electrocuted on February 2, 1951 save name! 'S uncle, '' he told the family members he would grant the pardons after meeting with them Tuesday but. Shelter, showing signs of an assault national attention to the memorial using social sites... 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Period by all-white juries Brandy Washington tied the knot last week, a year the. Mass actions in Richmond of 20 and 23 stay too long, noting the time, rape was a 's. The link to activate your account in early February 1951 more detail or edit captions for photos you added click! Amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring distributed Jehovah 's Witnesses materials in the litigation.! Three more men for rape, the remaining three were executed at 15-minute intervals February. Pardons | CBC News Loaded to activate your account n't really want to talk it. And website in this browser for the rape of a large planned demonstration... Read confessions they signed least 13 times to be tried as though they were interrogated 2.... 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